The Lagos State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), today commemorated World Teachers’ Day with a Colloquium held at Ikeja Senior School Hall, Bolade, Oshodi, Lagos.
Speaking at the programme with the theme, “Valuing Teachers: Voices Towards A New Social Contract for Education’’, the Chairman of Tescom, Mrs. Victoria Margaret Peregrine disclosed that the event was put together as a sort of training with a blend of lectures, symposium and networking to appreciate Lagos Teachers.
She disclosed further that the colloquium, which is the second edition, is meant to be an annual initiative designed to bring teachers in Lagos public schools together to brainstorm on topical issues that are expected to further inspire, educate and improve their skills in the teaching careers.
Mrs. Peregrino, who was represented by the Director of Teachers Education and Capacity Development, Mrs. Aloba Bidemi, admonished participants who are mainly teachers drawn across all the education districts in the state to continually avail themselves of numerous symposiums and training opportunities for self-development and to keep abreast of emerging trends in the teaching profession as new techniques of teaching are evolving and should not be left behind.
She pledged the support of the Lagos State Government through the Teaching Service Commission to continually train and equip teachers with the requisite training, qualifications, good remuneration and improved working conditions.
Also speaking at the event, Commissioner IV representing Badagry Division at the Teaching Service Commission, Mrs. Abimbola Adeola Idowu appreciated the efforts of teachers in Lagos State public school, noting that teachers are important change agents who must be valued by everyone in the society to bring about social, cultural, economic and scientific transformation of any nation.
She encouraged teachers to imbibe the new social contract needs, which allows teachers to think differently and more professionally about the teaching and learning techniques that provide for less supervision of teachers.
Guest Lecturer at the Colloquium, Aare Adebayo, spoke extensively on the need for teachers to value themselves and be appreciated by the government and parents.
He noted that the success of a nation depends largely on well-motivated and inspired teachers who mould and shape the characters of men from school ages.
The colloquium, which is to herald World Teachers Day, statutorily fixed for every 5th Day in October, had in attendance teachers drawn from the education districts across the State, representatives of the Lagos Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Directors from the Teaching Service Commission, amongst others.
